Can-soldering machine.



Patente'djSept'. 9, |902.

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

B. BULL; CAN SLDEBING MACHINE.

(Application med Nov. 22, 1901.1

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, Patented Sept. 9, |902. B. com..`- GAN soLnE'nmG MACHINE.

\Applicatian filed Novi 22, 1901.

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(No Model.)

No. 708,798. Patented sept. 9,1902.

s. coLL. CANSOLDERING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 22, 1901.)

3 lSheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

@www j UNiTED STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE.

BERNARD COLL, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Q A'N-fSOLDERING MACHINEQ SPECIFICATION formngpart of Letters Patent No.708,798, dated September 9, 1902. Application filed November Z2, 19017.Serial No. 83.254. (No model.)

ed certain new and useful Improvements in,

Can-Soldering Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and'to the guresof reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to can-soldering machines; and its object is toimprove the mechanism and cheapen the cost of such machines, wherein thecans are caught and held between sets of clamps on carriers adapted totransport the cans, and means are provided for tilting thercans inalternate directions, first soldering one end and then the other, andfinally depositing` each soldered can, after it has cooled suitably, ina trough or runway, from which they are removed to'be tested andshipped. i j

Each constituent element of my invention is described in detail, and itsindividual office, together with the mode of operation of the whole,fully explained hereinbelow.

Of the accompanying drawings, throughout which like numerals designatelikeparts, Figure 1 is a side view of the two end portions ofmyinvention, a portion of the middle being omitted, as it is identicalwith partsv shown. Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the machine on thelineoc of the first ligure. Fig. 3 shows a side view o f the belt-guideand one of the carriers. Fig.,4=`shows a plan view of the machine nearone end and exhibits the means employed for spreading the pinions apartto discharge or receive a can from or between the clamps. Fig. 5`showsone method of jointing the carrier-frame; and Fig. 6 shows a side Forguides, (referred to by the numbers l0 and 11.)

These belt-guides areelongated troughs, of iron, having the depth of thethickness of the belt and their sides turned upwardly over the edges ofthe belt. The ofiice of the guides is Vto compel the belt to run trulyin a direct line between the vmain pulleys or belt-wheels 6 and 7. andone below, extending between the beltwheels. The guides are supportedupon or by cross-pieces 12, that are in turn upheld by standards 13, ofwhich there mayobviously be any number placed as may be desired. I donot restrict myself to these standards orthe like to support thebelt-guides and may use any chosen frame construction for that purpose.Fig. 2 shows the cross-section of the guides and the form in which theybend at the sides over the edges of the carrier-belt. In order that thecarriers maybe adjusted eX- actly over one another, means for theirindependent adjustment is provided. (See Fig. 2.) Upon each cross-piecel2 is a bar or plate 14, and the guides are riveted or screwed to thebars. Bolt-rods 15 pass through holes in the ends of the bars andthrough slots 16 in the cross-pieces. It will thus be understood thatboth-topv and bottom guides may be moved Y simultaneously sidewise tobring them to the holds the can during the operations of dipping it intothe acid and solder baths common to machines of this nature. In Fig. 3 apart of belt-guide 10 is broken away to clear the There aretwo'belt-guidespne above' IOO view of the feet of the posts 17 and 1S,which are riveted or bolted to belt 9, as shown. At equal distancesabove the belt are the threaded orifices 19 and 20, one in each post.These orices receive the threaded ends of thepins 2l and 22, the outerends of the pins passing through brackets and 24, secured to the posts.Pivotally supported by the pins 2l and 22 is the carrier-frame 25. Thepins pass through the middle points of the sides of the carrier-frame,(see also Fig. 4,) and it will be observed that there is a certain spaceallowed between these sides and each bracket and post. In Fig. 3 thesides of the carrierframe are shown supported midway between thebrackets and the posts, and this is the normal. attitude when the beltis passing level through the top guide. The carrier-frame 25 is usuallya rectangular parallelogratn, as shown. Each end of the carrier-frameconsists of two portions. As shown in Fig. 5, a joint or knuckle isformed by giving the meeting extremities of the end portions cylindricalheads and recessing one head 25, whereby it may receive the relativelythinner and flattened head 25" of the other portion, securing themtogether by passing through both heads the pinion-shaft 26. Head 25b hasa projecting lug 25C, which meets the neck of head 25a and prevents theend of the carrier-frame from bendingdownwardlyin the middle, Whilepermitting it to bend upwardly in the middle. In Fig. Llthe bifurcatedhead 25 is best shown, and between its sides is introduced the singlefiat head 25D. Viewed from the side the form of the head 25 is circular.In Fig. 5 the side of the bifurcated head 25L nearest the observer hasbeen cut away to show the entering head 25h, which, as stated, isinserted between the sides of the head 25a and held in place by thepinionshaft 26 passingcentrally through both heads 25 and 25. At the topof the head 25" (see Fig. 5) is formed a projecting lug or finger 251When the ends of the carrier-frame are horizontal, the lug 25c meets theneck of the head 25L between the sides of that head as drawn. It will benow understood that the ends of the carrier-frame may break upwardly inthe middle, but cannot break downwardly, by reason of the meeting of lug25C and the neck of head 25a. I provide the joint or knuckle in each endof the frame 25 to enable the carrier mechanisms to adapt themselves tocertain changes ofthe relative positions of the parts when passingaround the pulleys. At such times the carrier-posts project radially andare no longer parallel with each other, and the axes of the pivot-pins2l and 22 no longer fallin the same straight line, butintersect at ahigher point. This point of intersection will be seen to lie in the axisofthe pinion-shafts, and it will be noted that the jointed ends of thecarrier-frame are bent upwardly, conforming practically to theperipheral curve of the pulley. Coincidently as the tops of posts 17 and18 separate the pins 21 and 22 are drawn through the holes in the sidesof frame 25 somewhat as shown, and this fact explains the length of thepivot-pins and the interval left between the posts and brackets 23 24.The jointing of the ends of frame 25 could be avoided by making theopenings to the pivot-pin holes divergently, as shown in Fig. 8 andmarked 21 and 22, thus permitting .the pins to slant with respect to thesides of the carrier-frame. This construction may be used when thebelt-pulleys are of relatively large size. All the carriers and theirappurtenances are alike in every respect. I do not limit myself to theparticular means shown for jointing the carrier-frame, the devicesillustrated being only the preferred form for the purpose.

Number 26 refers to each o f the pinionshafts, and number 27 marks thepinions. Fig. 6 shows the preferred form for the pinions, which arefashioned thicker toward the center and thinner toward the periphery orteeth in order that the pinions may take the spreader more easily, ashereinafter described. The inner ends of shafts 26 are threaded, (seeFig..4,) and circular clampingplates 28 are screwed thereon. Theseclamping-plates may be of any size to suit the can, and, as they areremovable, several sizes may be provided and used at will.

Number 29 refers to the trough, located between the carrier posts 17 and18, which catches the cans as they fall from the serving-chute 30 (seeFig. l) and centers them for the action of the clamping-plates. Trough29 is centrally and pivotaliy supported on the pin 3l, that passesthrough the block 32, which block is secured to the under side ot' thetrough at its middle point. The pivotpin 3l is in turn supported by theyoke 33, and this yoke has a threaded stem or base 34., that engages theadjusting-screw 35. This adjusting-screw effects the vertical adjustmentof the trough or of another trough of different size desired to besubstituted for it. It is my practice to make the carriers to take a canof relatively large size for example, a three-pound canand to soconstruct the machine that other clamping-plates and other troughs tofit either a two-pound or onepound can may be substituted, and themachine thus equipped for soldering either of those sizes. The acid andsolder baths under these circumstances would be suitably raised to theproper positions to receive the rotating can, whatever its size. Thelower end of the adjusting-screw 35 is let into a block 36, which isriveted to belt 9, as shown, midway between the posts. Let it be assumedthat the parts of the machine are to be changed and one-pound cans areto be soldered instead of the larger three-pound cans. A one-pound canis less in diameter than the three-pound. Consequentlyitsspecial troughmust be supported at a higher point than the three-pound-can trough inorder to bring the axis of the smaller can to coincide with that IIO ofthe pinion-shaft and carrier-frame. To accomplish this adjustment, thescrew 35 is oppositely threaded near its ends, and by turning it in onedirection the trough will be raised farther from the belt and lowered byturning the screw reversely.

Numbers 37 and 38 are bands each having one end secured to one side ofthe carrierframe and the other end adjustably attached to the oppositeside of the carrier-frame, whereby that part of the band dependingwithin the carrier-frame may be lengthened or shortened. support theouter ends ot' the trough 29, maintaining the bottom of the troughalways parallel with the carrier-frame. As the trough is attached to thebelt by 'means of a pivot located 4below the pivots or axial line of thecarrier-frame 25, when the clamps grasp a can lying in the trough andthe frame tilts to dip the end of the can in acid and solder there willbe a movement of can and trough with relation to each other. (See Fig.2.) As the bands 37 and 38 are attached beneath the ends of the troughby rivets or staples 39 and 40, or otherwise, there is a twisting orbending of the bands with each rocking movement of the frame. Vhen thetrough is also connected with the belt, therefore, the bands arenecessarily flexible. The carriers are placed closely following eachother on the belt 9, and the pinions engage the racks 41 and 4.2,extending along the sides of the top ofthe machine. (See Figs. 1 and 4.)

At certain points on both sides of the top of the machine are locatedthe vessels containing acid or molten solder. The acid vessels arenumbered 43 and the solder-baths numbered 44. As each pair or series ofvessels 43 44 is approached the rack on the opposite side of the machinerises, (see Fig'. 1,) the construction being the same in each instance,and the rack on the same side as the vessels drops below the normallevel, thus tilting the carrier-frame, trough 29, and clamped can intofirst the acid and then the molten solder. It will be noted that thevcanis continuallyrotating, and the parts `are usually proportioned topermit the can to turn twice or more in each bath. I do not limit myselfto the form of the vessels holding acid or solder, nor to the methodillustrated, consisting of brackets 45, angle-irons 46, and bolts 47, bywhich the vessels can be adjusted in higher or lower positions. Afterbeing dipped into the acid vessel the can must of necessity be caused torise and pass over the end of the first vessel, descending again intothe solderbath. This intermediary oscillation is accomplished bysuitably raising andlowering portions of the racks at the properpoints.As

The office of the bands is to nthereof and upon those sections.

permit the solder caught in the usual circular spaces between the topsand sides of the cans to harden. Cans are received by way of a chute 30,having a mou th 4S, through which one can falls at a time into a trough29. While the carriers pass beneath mouth 48 the clamping- Vplates 2Sare held apart by the sliding and rolling contact'between the inclinedfaces of the pinions 27 and the spreaders 49. These spreaders are piecesbent into the form of an are of a circle and having one long inclinedside. (See Fig. 4.) A'pair of spreaders is placed above each of thelarge belt-pulleys. Those above pulley 6 spread the clampingplates apartto receive a can from mouth 48` and immediately allow the plates toclose in and clamp the can, while the pair of spreaders above pulley 7open the clamps and permit the can to drop out into any receptacle orrunway arranged -to receive it. The clamping-plates are forced inwardlyby coil-springs 50, and when the carriers are returning empty (see lowerpart of Fig. 2) they are limited in their inward spring-forced movementby contact of pinions 27 and the ends of the carrierframe. Circulargrooves 51 are formed in the outer surfaces of the hubs or center piecesof clamping-plates 28, and like circular grooves 52 are cut in the innersurfaces of heads 25 of the jointed ends of the carrier-frames, and inthese grooves the end coils of springs 50 rest. The plates, shafts 26,and pinions may thus revolve independently of the springs, yet undertheir inuence, as stated. The grooves and spring elements are best shownin Fig. 4. It is essential that the pinions squarely engage the teeth ofthe racks both upon the level approaches to the rising and fallingsections The racks as they rise or fall curve inwardly, and the teethare inclined in correspondence with the tilt of the axis of thepinion-shaft. (See Fig. 2.) I iind it convenient to have some means foradjusting the racks, which though cast in pieces of certain length andhaving as nearly as practicable the curve and twist required often needslight modifications of form to bring them into exactly the necessaryshape. To accomplish the adjustment of the racks, one series of devicesapplicable consists of the joint-chair 53, having the raised sides 5454, between which the meeting ends of two sections of the rack areplaced and secured by screws 55. As ordinarily arranged the jointsl ofthe racks rest upon the supports. Each chair 53 is given a roundedbottom 56 and rests in a grooved seat 57, that has a transverse slot 58,through which passes the set-screw 59. It will now be understoodthat,the rack may be loo,4

twisted either way to a slight extent and held i so by fixing the chairin its seat. To raise or lower the rack and adjust it toward or from themedian longitudinal line of the machine, I employ the vslotted plates60, having the chair-seats at their upper ends, and length- Wise vslots61, through which bolts 62 pass into angle or knee irons 62, The foot ofeach angle-iron has a slot 63, and through the slot a bolt 64 passesinto the cross-piece 12, as shown. Plates and the vertical portions ofthe angle-irons vary in length in accordance with the predetermined riseor fall of the rack. On a level any suitable support 65 replaces theadjustable supports just detailed.

Having thus described the construction and explained the operation of myinvention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is-

1. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a belt, belt-pulleys,a belt-guide, the said belt passing along the guide and around thepulleys, the said guide being arranged tangentially to the pulleys andconstructed to maintain and guide the belt atwise horizontally betweenthe pulleys, can carrier mechanism adapted to be rotated and tilted, anddevices fashioned and disposed to rotate and tilt the said can-carriermechanism, the said can-carrier mechanism being borne by the belt, thesaid guide being adjustable laterally whereby the said belt andcan-carrier mechanism are correspondingly moved, and means forsupporting the guide and for clamping it in position.

2. In acari-soldering machine, the combination of a belt, belt-pulleys,and can-carrier mechanism comprising twin posts secured to the belt, acarrier-frame having jointed ends, pivot-pins projecting from the posts,the said frame being pivotallysupported and movable laterally on thesaid pins, a trough arranged to receive a can, the said trough beingadjustably connected to the carrier-frame, springclamps adapted to holda can within the said frame, revoluble and longitudinally-movable shaftsattached to the said clamps, and means for rotating the shafts andtilting the can-carrier mechanism, su bstantially as described.

3. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of the belt, upper andlower belt-guides consisting of plates having their sides bent upwardlyand inwardly to cover the edges of the belt leaving a space lengthwisein the middle of the belt uncovered, belt-pulleys, the said guides beingarranged flatwise and tangentially between the tops and bottoms of thepulleys, devices adapted for adjusting the guides laterally, can-carriermechanism secured to the middle of the belt, and means for rotating andtilting the can-carriers, substantially as described.

LL. In a can-soldering machine, geared racks arranged at the sides ofthe machine, devices for supporting the said racks and constructed toeffect the adjustment of the racks vertically and horizontally, andmeans carried by the vertical support whereby the said racks may beadjusted rotatively, substantially as described.

5. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a belt, belt-pulleys,and can-carrier mechanism comprising twin posts secured to the belt, acarrier-frame, pivot-pins projecting from the posts, the said framebeing pivotally supported and movable laterally on the said pins, atrough arranged to receive a can, the said trough being adj ustablyconnected to the carrier-frame, vertically-adjustable devices secured tothe belt beneath the said trough and attached pivotally to the trough,springoperated clamping plates, revoluble andlongitudinally-movableshafts secured to the clamping-plates, and means for rotating the shaftsand tilting the carrier mechanism, substantially as described.

6. Inacan-solderingmachine, the combination of a belt, belt-pulleys, andcan-carrier mechanism comprising twin posts secured to the belt, acarrier-frame having jointed ends, pivot-pins projecting from the posts,the said frame being pivotallysupported and movable laterally on thesaid pins, an adjustable trough arranged to receive a can, the saidtrough being adjustably connected to the carrier-frame, spring-operatedclamping-plates, revoluble and longitudinally-movable shafts secured tothe clamping-plates, pinions fixed upon the shafts, geared racksarranged at the sides of the machine, the racks being oppositelyelevated and depressed Wherebythe engagement of the pinions rotates theclamping-plates and tilts the carriers, and spreaders adapted toseparate the pinions for the purpose of receiving and discharging cans,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I al'lix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BERNARD COLL.

lWitnesses:

LEE COLL, FRANCIS L. IERUNE.

IOO

